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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Love Jenny Howe for some fat contemporary representation, and there were times when this story really had me (aka when it's obvious that the main characters are friends who are yearning for each other when one is going out on a lot of dates) and times when it didn't (aka when the main character had this plan to woo his friend who he basically shut down years earlier, which was okay and made sense at the time, but then to keep your mouth shut while she goes on all these terrible dates so you can sweep in at the end when she actually meets someone and is tentatively opening herself up to the idea of being in love with someone else )
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I swear I couldn’t put Haleigh’s story down because it was just so entertaining and relevant to me. Maybe it’s because Haleigh reminds me so much of myself, but Howe really captured the feelings of being 25, plus-sized, and absolutely jaded by the dating world. Not to mention the feelings of anxiety? They were so accurate i found my body physically reacting to Haleigh’s interactions before she did. I can’t wait to read more of Howe’s books now that I’ve dipped my toe in!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Thank you to Netgallery for an e-arc and my library for the audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Jenny's books are always great. I've been reading since the first came out - and will continue to do so.
I really loved the OCD, and anxiety rep. I loved Haley as a character and Jack as a love interest.
Even Brian was a great character, and I was worried how he would react at the end. But the story was very well done. 🥰
Jenny's books are always great. I've been reading since the first came out - and will continue to do so.
I really loved the OCD, and anxiety rep. I loved Haley as a character and Jack as a love interest.
Even Brian was a great character, and I was worried how he would react at the end. But the story was very well done. 🥰
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My second read from Jenny L. Howe, I enjoyed this one! Fat rep in romance is so important, and Howe does it so well. It’s great that more are coming out now, but to have it more as an own voices representation with the reality and not a performative interpretation from a skinny author is what makes it best (coming from a reader who has always been on the bigger side).
Haleigh and Jack are BFFs, never with a romantic thought between them… until she needs a plus one for her sister’s wedding and decides to go on multiple dates to find “the one,” having her close friends and family set her up on ten dates. Jack suddenly realizes that he might actually have those kind of feelings, so realizes he’s sabotaging her plans to be that winner… especially when she’s pretty sure she’s found her guy, and it isn’t him.
A great read which I highly recommend! I enjoyed it greatly the entire way through. The best friends aspect added a lot to a regular friends to lovers storyline, and the awful dating stories was a lot of fun. A sort of love triangle done right, since that is a trope I really don’t do. Howe is a great author!
Audio version narrated by Billie Bryant who truly brings the world of Haleigh and Jack to life. I enjoyed her performance so much!
Thanks to NetGalley, Spotify Audiobooks, and St. Martin’s Press (St. Martin’s Griffin) for the early read and listen copies. This is my honest opinion and feedback.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Most of the cast is in their mid twenties and written as considering The Brady Brunch and TLC to be absolutely ancient cultural references. If that doesn't sound like you, proceed accordingly.
I know a lot of questionable behaviour is traditionally excused in the romance genre, but I was taken abackwhen - after significant author content warnings about fatphobia, anxiety, OCD, and other topics - the male love interest sets the female protagonist up on a date with someone who's emotionally abusive just to make himself look better and it's treated like a cute little prank .
I know a lot of questionable behaviour is traditionally excused in the romance genre, but I was taken aback
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was absolutely delightful. I love best friends to lovers more than anything, so I already knew I would like this one. What I wasn’t expecting was how much I appreciated the carefully written representation of mental health struggles. I think Jenny did a great job of showing people who are struggling, but also showing what they are doing to actively work on themselves. This was such a fun, thoughtful read
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute second chance romance.